TUSCALOOSA CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: Political newcomer seeks to unseat incumbent

By Jason MortonStaff Writer

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 12:06 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | A political newcomer has announced her bid to challenge incumbent Bobby Howard for the Tuscaloosa City Council's District 1 seat.

Panganena “Panga” Wilson, 58, said she is running with four main goals:

Ensure that the city of Tuscaloosa presents an equal opportunity to all residents seeking employment with the city while providing promotions to all who merit them;

Working to find funding to bring the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service to a higher standard with technology, equipment, vehicles and salaries;

To host town hall meetings with her constituents to address their concerns and needs with a focus on seniors; and

Look toward new programs to keep young residents out of the juvenile detention centers.

“My objective is to make a positive contribution to my constituents by being the voice and leader that they need to get their concerns met,” Wilson said Tuesday in her campaign announcement. “I want to be a council person who works for the community and not have the community working for me.”

Wilson, a Jackson, Miss., native who has called Tuscaloosa home since 1992, is a Stillman College graduate who earned her bachelor's degree in business management in 2001.

Her candidacy pits her against two-term incumbent Howard. She's the third resident with no past experience in elective office to try and unseat a sitting council member.

Former Tuscaloosa firefighter Edwin “Eddie” Pugh, 59, announced last week that he will seek his first elected office by challenging District 6 incumbent Councilman Bob Lundell.

Pugh followed Sonya McKinstry, 43, who became the first resident to announce her campaign to challenge incumbent Councilman William Tinker for the District 7 seat.

The only other non-incumbent to announce a campaign for this year's municipal election is 22-year-old Matt Calderone, who is attempting to win the seat being vacated by Councilman Lee Garrison.

Garrison is running for chair of the city Board of Education, a seat now held by incumbent Dan Meissner.

Qualifying for all candidates began Tuesday and lasts until July 16.

The municipal election for both the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education is set for Aug. 27.

Other employment history: administrative assistant for Stillman College (1992-2001); office manager for a Church's Chicken franchise (2002-09); professional staffing auditor for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (2010-11)

<p>TUSCALOOSA | A political newcomer has announced her bid to challenge incumbent Bobby Howard for the Tuscaloosa City Council's District 1 seat.</p><p>Panganena “Panga” Wilson, 58, said she is running with four main goals:</p><p>Ensure that the city of Tuscaloosa presents an equal opportunity to all residents seeking employment with the city while providing promotions to all who merit them;</p><p>Working to find funding to bring the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service to a higher standard with technology, equipment, vehicles and salaries;</p><p>To host town hall meetings with her constituents to address their concerns and needs with a focus on seniors; and</p><p>Look toward new programs to keep young residents out of the juvenile detention centers.</p><p>“My objective is to make a positive contribution to my constituents by being the voice and leader that they need to get their concerns met,” Wilson said Tuesday in her campaign announcement. “I want to be a council person who works for the community and not have the community working for me.”</p><p>Wilson, a Jackson, Miss., native who has called Tuscaloosa home since 1992, is a Stillman College graduate who earned her bachelor's degree in business management in 2001.</p><p>Her candidacy pits her against two-term incumbent Howard. She's the third resident with no past experience in elective office to try and unseat a sitting council member.</p><p>Former Tuscaloosa firefighter Edwin “Eddie” Pugh, 59, announced last week that he will seek his first elected office by challenging District 6 incumbent Councilman Bob Lundell.</p><p>Pugh followed Sonya McKinstry, 43, who became the first resident to announce her campaign to challenge incumbent Councilman William Tinker for the District 7 seat.</p><p>The only other non-incumbent to announce a campaign for this year's municipal election is 22-year-old Matt Calderone, who is attempting to win the seat being vacated by Councilman Lee Garrison.</p><p>Garrison is running for chair of the city Board of Education, a seat now held by incumbent Dan Meissner.</p><p>Qualifying for all candidates began Tuesday and lasts until July 16.</p><p>The municipal election for both the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education is set for Aug. 27.</p><p>Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200.</p><h3>Facts</h3>
<p>Panganena “Panga” Wilson</p><p>Birthdate: April 10, 1955</p><p>Birthplace: Jackson, Miss.</p><p>Education: Bachelor's degree in business management from Stillman College (2001)</p><p>Occupation: office assistant for a certified residential facility focusing on clients with intellectual disabilities</p><p>Other employment history: administrative assistant for Stillman College (1992-2001); office manager for a Church's Chicken franchise (2002-09); professional staffing auditor for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (2010-11)</p><p>Political background: none</p><p>Website/email address: panga40@gmail.com</p>